simmars-forum-threads Simmars Intro Picture

[JakeMD 107]

Hello SimMars community!  I have been put in charge of making the Intro Video for SimMars.  I can make the video, but really, honestly, what format is it in!?  If any of you guys out there know, please tell me right away!

Here are some positions ill be needing to fill in.

1. Tech guy.  This is the guy who can make our video into a usable format.

2. Pictures giver (I guess) I need someone to give me alot of pictures from SimMars.

We also need a cool theme song about 30 seconds long to fill in the video.

If you have any questions, or would like to contribute, please post here!

This thread has now been converted to the Intro Picture Thread.

[Aprillion 0]

Hi, I have no idea what is the video format, but the file is intro.dat in SC4 main directory (NOT in My documents)

you will find some high res pictures on http://picasaweb.google.com/Peter.Hozak/SimMarsBeta2 (do not use the ones with trees), more usefull in future - just tell me what you need and I will build it, snapshot it and upload

I know it is possible to make video of gameplay as well, but I have to find out how to first...

EDIT: I've already found how to on http://www.simpage.net/simcity4/cheats.shtml#all-tricks-recorder

[JakeMD 107]

Thanks so much aprilboy! I will use your pictures.

[Aprillion 0]

well, I made my first video ever, but if you tell me what scenes you need....

uh... stupit street lights - I'll try to make video not showing bugs next time...

(click to download 2MB .avi)

[JakeMD 107]

Perfect! Ill use a few scenes from that, and create a slide show as well. With some transitions, this should be a nice video.

[Aprillion 0]

what will be the output format? i can imagine it won't be 400x300 as that experimental video

[JakeMD 107]

Yeah, I think the first version will be smaller, but I hope we can get it to be bigger

[Cleaner475 150]

Have you thought about making a few videos then putting it to a vote?, I wish you luck Swat,

Richard

[Aprillion 0]

original MAXIS intro video is something about 715x330 pixels, so I used the same aspect ratio and here is my 2nd video called First Steps, duration 11s

edit 08/2015: video is no longer published on original site for some time, so I uploaded it to youtube

  Edited August 23, 2015 by Aprillion  
no longer published on original site

[JakeMD 107]

Ok, keep it that ratio, and Ill see about getting more pics for transitions and slideshows.

[AndisArt 2,068]

I would like to see some close-ups in the video as well and scenes from all city stages

[BIWDC 2,296]

I was in a disscusion about this a couple of years ago & 
it didn't seem possible to make a new intro video.The video 
Type is the(mad)format & there still doesn't seem to be 
software for this format availible to the public.You can make 
the video but the game can't use it.

However i wouldn't give up on this as somthing is bound to come 
up eventully.

[borntoboogie 15]

if it is a MAD file then this MAY be of some use to you if you understand computer talk!

http://wiki.multimedia.cx/index.php?title=Electronic_Arts_MAD

[BIWDC 2,296]

I found that link aswell last night it explains about it but doesn't explain about 

any software for it,it is a good find though.That wiki you can find pretty much

everything on there now.

[timcravey 169]

What about writing a program that plays the intro video and then starts the game? Like the intro of a DVD movie... C++ anyone?

[TimeMaster 4]

timcravey: The video isnt what we are working on right now... And you mean like the SC4 Intro? That is what I think we are doing.

[timcravey 169]

There is a video post for SimMars on YOUTube of a trailer from SC3000 (I think). Is it possible to incorporate any of this footage in the new video? Or is it even appropriate? Apparently the original concept was very different from what developed.

video is here:  

Time - I am talking about writing a C++ executable that will play the .avi or .fls video, then load the game with SC4 intro disabled.  If we can't edit the original intro or write in its proprietary filetype then we must go around the original.

[TimeMaster 4]

We don't really need to work on it, but feel free to do it if you want to. I can't put together good video, or get good clips.

[Shoji_sim 9]

I have a good idea.

First, the original SC4 intro runs about a half of the way (up to the police car driving around at night)(Backround music: original)

The last seconds of the original intro will be a horizontol sweep for about 5 seconds across some skyscrapers.

Then suddenly, a picture of a barren and lifeless Mars will appear, floating slowly to the left.(backround music dramatically turns quiet)

The image will change to a horizontal sweep across some smooth rocky martian terrain. (BG music gains energy e.g.a few floor drum noises that sound every half-second)

Then, will an isometric view taken from the game, some large, high-tech buildings grow out of the ground. (BG music sounds futuristic and excitable)

As a final scene, I can't think of one

I'll try to make a reasonable storyboard out of sketches.

I hope this helps!

[Shoji_sim 9]

I think we need to compress the movie size to somewhat like 20mb or less otherwise the old PC's will have trouble with it...

[TimeMaster 4]

As I final seen how about a developed mars metropolis? Yes I agree start out with the SimCity 4 intro until some point them somehow morphing into barren mars, then some developments, and finally a [final scene]?

[Shoji_sim 9]

I hava finished the storyboard.

URL:

http://hexidecimal.buzznet.com/user/video/play/3619521/

Preview below.

[Shoji_sim 9]

I'm very into computers too, and understand a lot, I mean A LOT of computer language. So, if you're stuck on something, just give me a shout and I'll translate.

Just make sure you don't give me a link to YouTube, ok?

[timcravey 169]

I'm not getting anything from your links - have you already posted the storyboard?

[Shoji_sim 9]

Yes. But I'm not allowed on YouTube, so sorry. I'm just trying to help as much as possible.

Anyway, what do you mean by 'I'm not getting anything from your links?'

Copy the URL and paste it into your browser's URL.

[timcravey 169]

I did. The link takes me to a profile page that says you haven't uploaded any pictures or videos.

Are you familiar with video editing? Are you going to try to produce the video? Have you tried to download the existing video fragments here in this thread and see if they are suitable for what you envision? I haven't ever tried to shoot video inside the game before but if it's like the .png still shots in the albums, it must produce a very large file. What software are you going to use?

We all appreciate the help, Shoji. Keep up the good work.

[Shoji_sim 9]

I think I remember them saying that the site is upgrading thier video player. Anyway, I'll fix the problem.

Well, I need like a high-quality video thing that could cost US$100 for the product. And also consider I'm 10 years old (seriously), and living in HK SAR in China. We need to sort of like send it to each other, so one person does this, then he does this, and so on. I also see that your idea of writing an .exe program to play the video and then start the movie a lot easier.

[Shoji_sim 9]

I think I fixed it. If it dosn't work, make sure you wait a few hours (or even a week) to be able to watch it.

http://hexidecimal.buzznet.com/user/video/play/3619521/

[Shoji_sim 9]

I also found informatoin about .mad files.

http://dotwhat.net/mad/506/

[JakeMD 107]

While I figure this out, I have made up some intro pictures.

Tell me what you think!